Dems struggle to find candidates and Waukesha parade trial won't be moved outside the county

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
Darrell Brooks changed his plea to insanity for the Waukesha Christmas parade. Here's what that means for his trial.

Wisconsin Democrats aren't fielding candidates in two House races, five state Senate races and 16 Assembly races.

  • Redistricting left both House seats with a decidedly partisan lean for the Republicans, a 16-point advantage, meaning they appear seemingly out of Democratic reach for the decade. The only competition U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher in the 8th and U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman in the 6th will face is from GOP primary rivals.

  • By comparison, Republicans aren't running candidates in 10 Assembly races but otherwise have a full slate of candidates. There's no question that gerrymandering of election maps has played a role in what's occurring. Redistricting gave Republicans a lock on the Legislature, with the likelihood that Republicans will win 63 of the 99 seats in the state Assembly.

  • The lack of candidates comes as Democrats in statewide races are trying to knock off incumbent Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and hold onto the governor's mansion with Democrat Tony Evers. While state Democrats are lagging in the recruitment of candidates, they have no shortage of cash. Since January 2021, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has raised $26.3 million while the Republican Party of Wisconsin has raised $6.8 million, according to federal and state filings.

The Milwaukee man charged in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy will not have his trial moved after all

  • The trial against Darrell Brooks Jr. in connection with the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack last year will be held in Waukesha County, with a jury of county residents, after a judge on Monday denied a change of venue motion.

  • Instead of moving the trial, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow said the jury pool would be expanded and both parties would have additional strikes and time for questioning jurors to ensure a fair trial. The jury will be sequestered at the courthouse during the day, but allowed to return home at night.

  • Dorow said the court does not have to move the trial to keep it impartial, and can use other methods, such as expanding jury selection abilities, to ensure a fair trial. "It is not required that jurors be totally ignorant of the facts and issues involved," Dorow said. "The nature of the publicity has been factual and objective ... not an attempt to influence the public of the guilt or innocence of Mr. Brooks."

Did someone share this newsletter with you? Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

The Money

PORT: How a $35 million upgrade will boost business in the already bustling Port of Milwaukee.

WALKER'S POINT: A six-story, 86-unit apartment building is being proposed for Walker's Point — the latest in a series of similar neighborhood projects.

The Fun Stuff

DOWNTOWN: New Milwaukee restaurant Safina's is resurrecting family recipes from Giovanni's for a more casual downtown spot.

SUMMERFEST: It starts Thursday. These are the best days to check out Summerfest, depending on which music you love.

The Games

BREWERS: The Brewers are suddenly hot after taking a 2-0 game from the Cardinals with another Corbin Burnes gem. They've now won four in a row, five out of six and are a game in first place after scuffling for most of the month.

BREWERS STREAMING: Brewers games on Bally Sports Wisconsin will be available via an app purchase, with no cable required, starting Thursday.

Today's Weather

Another day of intense heat with a high approaching 100 degrees.

Not yet a Journal Sentinel subscriber? Please consider signing up at jsonline.com/deal.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha parade trial will be held in Waukesha